Party On! A Family Affair at Larchfield with Brad & Aimee

Today's real wedding is all about the party. From Brad and Aimee's first encounter, to their pre wedding planning get-togethers to the day itself. With lots of friends and family abroad and Brad and Aimee based in London, the wedding was an opportunity for everyone to gather together and have a whole lot of fun. Of course the wedding was a barrel of laughs but it also looked pretty amazing, all thanks to the styling of the wonderful Alise Taggart, with extra personal touches from the extended family (including home made brew by the father of the groom!). Read on to get utterly inspired to get started on your own DIY preparations...All fabulously captured by Fraser Stewart!

So how did Brad and Aimee meet? Not quite the norm, Brad and Aimee actually met through Aimee's brother, who was in school with Brad. "We met through Aimee's eldest brother, Nicky. Nicky and I went to school (Campbell College Belfast) together. We met initially at a house party at Aimee's while her parents were away... The less said about that night the better! We met again some months later while Aimee and the rest of the Upper Sixth's at Strathearn School were celebrating A Level results night. Nicky offered his blessing, and we have stuck together ever since!" If you have brothers yourself I'm sure you're all too aware this could have gone wrong, but luckily Aimee's brother was all for it and this pair have been inseparable since.

I absolutely adore this photo. The anticipation!

It's ALWAYS a good idea to have some tissues at hand, even (if not especially) for the dads!

After the romance got the family blessing, Brad and Aimee dated for 6 years and everyone knew the next step would be wedding bells. All the same Brad felt it wouldn't be right to forego the tradition of having a proposal. I have read lots and lots of proposal stories from all our real wedding couples but this one takes the biscuit (or the garlic bread to be specific...) Brad was leaving for work in London and took Aimee out for dinner the evening before his departure. He hid the ring under some garlic bread, asking Aimee if she wanted the last piece! Anyone who shares their food is a keeper in my books...

Loving the bridesmaids cool toned lilac dresses bought in House Of Fraser. Such a good colour to suit the different colourings of the girls.

Chuffed groom Brad was decked out in a navy suit from Hire Class and a subtle stripy tie.

Everyone together: AW! Now time to celebrate...

How amazing does the food look?! The day was catered by Posh Nosh and fitted the casual party atmosphere just right. From the start it was clear to Brad and Aimee that their priorities for the day was that everyone had lots of fun, was relaxed enough to be themselves and get to know both sides of the family and eat, drink and be merry. What more could you want?

Brad and Aimee also wanted to keep the whole day local and as personal as possible. Luckily their friends and family are a super helpful bunch and the majority of details have a nice little personal touch to them. Even the vintage tea cups were collected from friends and family past and present - a great idea which is really easily done if your grandparents have a penchant for tea.

Nothing like a pint of Guinness to seal the deal!

After the ceremony Brad, Aimee and their bridesmaids and groomsmen took to Larchfield Estate's gorgeous countryside gardens for some snaps and some drinks. The country feel was a big part as to why Brad and Aimee chose Larchfield as their venue and in the end it couldn't have worked better for them "We both love the country (Aimee lived in the countryside surrounding Strangford Lough prior to London), and Larchfield offered the perfect setting. We didn't want a hotel with people wandering around that we didn't know. We knew everyone on the site on the day was there for our day, and was there to celebrate with us. We loved the rustic beams and trees with fairy lights in the barn. We loved being able to decorate and tailor the spaces to suit ourselves. As a bonus, the Larchfield team were amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for them..."

With lots of friends and family coming from afar the guys made a wooden signpost with important places where guests had travelled from and where Brad and Aimee had lived.

Adding to the rustic party feel Aimee with help from friends and family made lots of little jars of jam and chutneys for favours, all perfectly styled by Alise Taggart.

Keeping with all things personal Aimee and Brad had their own Cigar Bar, a photo display of old family pics and a fingerprint 'guestbook' tree hand drawn by Brad's sister Stephanie. If you aren't quite so arty have a look at the One Fab Day fingerprint tree which couldn't be easier to print off and use as your own guestbook.

The décor on the day was classic rustic with lots of earthy browns, bunting, mismatched bottles and soft flowers all complimented by candle light. If you want to recreate this look in a few simple steps be sure to check out our 4 easy steps to rustic table décor.

The cake is always one of my favourite aspects to swoon over and today we have not just one, or two but three varieties to make you want to reach for something sweet. Brad and Aimee opted for a traditional tiered number with pretty bow decoration, an alternative option of a cheese cake and last but not least some delish looking sweet treats all baked by Aimee's mum!

After going through all the planning Brad and Aimee have some solid advice "Enjoy the entire process, don't wish it away longing for the wedding day to actually arrive...it will! And it will be over in a fantastic, 'headbuzzing' type of blur! Remember why you are getting married it is your day but it's everyone else's day too."

Huge congratulations to Aimee and Brad, it looked like you had a ball! Big thank you also goes to Fraser Stewart for sharing your lovely work with us.